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2016
Design engineers turn designs into reality. Without them, a great idea but nothing more than, …. well, a great idea.
DAuto NewsletterDecember Edition
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(December 2016 Edition)
Honda previews Cooperative Mobility Ecosystem concepts
ahead of CES 2017
At the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show Honda will present a series of concepts on
the theme of urban mobility, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Honda will feature interactive and immersive
experiences designed to showcase a future technology
path based on a number of ideas: from reducing traffic
congestion to creating new modes of in-car
connectivity.
The exhibit will include the NeuV, a concept automated
EV commuter vehicle equipped with artificial
intelligence (AI) called “emotion engine” that creates
new possibilities for human interaction through the
application of a set of AI technologies developed by
cocoro SB Corp., which are claimed to enable machines
to artificially generate their own emotions.Despite its artificial intelligence
based on the idea of emotions,
the design of the NeuV
Concept is far from having an
“emotional look”, with a clean
yet rational, consumer
electronics-inspired look.
During a press conference scheduled for January 5,
2017, the Japanese carmaker will also announce
collaboration with a number of global brands and
startups “that will create a more productive and
enjoyable mobility experience.”
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(December 2016 Edition)
Volkswagen Gira Interior Concept
Volkswagen has revealed Gira, an autonomous driving demonstrator car that explores
how connectivity and autonomous driving will change mobility and the passenger-
vehicle relationship.Developed by VW Group
with the involvement
of Italdesign, Gira is a
study for an autonomous
vehicle interior that
envisions the way we
could travel in the future.
In the context imagined by
VW designers and
engineers, the car will
feature an AutoPilot mode
capable of taking over
when the vehicle leaves the
urban environment. Limiting
the autonomous driving to
highways and motorways is
a compromise that VW
considers “already possible
today”.
The interior features four
individual seats with a
wide range of
adjustments possible.
They are mounted on
rails and can be
positioned in many
different configuration.
The front seats can
rotate 180° for a face-to-
face layout.
The floor is completely flat
and free; the only element
apart from the seats is a
transformable center
tunnel that integrates a
special table made up of
four tablets.
The steering wheel and instrument
panels are retractable and
disappear when in autonomous
mode, enhancing the lounge-like
atmosphere.
The exterior – which at the
moment is just a basic mock-up –
features large, single gullwing
doors that allow easy ingress and
egress from the cabin.
The Gira concept will be on
display at the “Making the future
real” exhibition until February 28,
2017 at the Volkswagen Group
Forum in Berlin.
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(December 2016 Edition)
Alfa Romeo enters the SUV segment with the Stelvio
At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show Alfa Romeo has revealed the Stelvio, its much awaited
first SUV, in the top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio version, with a strong focus on performance.
Named after the Stelvio Pass in
the Italian Alps – one of the most
famous test driving roads in the
world – the SUV marks Alfa
Romeo much anticipated entry
into the crucial mid-size SUV
market segment.
The Stelvio, in particular the sporty
Quadrifoglio version, builds on the
philosophy introduced with the Giulia, and
offers extreme performances thanks to the
most powerful Alfa Romeo production
engine ever, an all-aluminum 2.9-liter V6 bi-
turbo V-6 units with 500+ hp that enables a
0-60 mph time under 4 seconds.This allows the Stelvio to be
considered a possible contender to
premium brands such as Jaguar,
Porsche and AMG.
Additional technical highlights shared across all the
different models include the Q4 all-wheel-drive
system and a lightweight construction that allows
to achieve a near 50/50 weight distribution and
high torsional rigidity.
From an aesthetic point of view, the
Stelvio Quadrifoglio showcases a low
ground clearance and dynamic lines
accentuated by the angled character
line, the muscular shoulders and the
sporty, typical Alfa Romeo face, with
the surface treatment and details
clearly influenced by the Giulia.
All this makes the Stelvio
appear almost like a crossover
rather than a typical SUV,
which may appeal to potential
customers looking for
performances more than pure
versatility.
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(December 2016 Edition)
Ferrari reveals J50 one-off
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ferrari in Japan, the J50 is a two-seater, mid-rear-
engined roadster with targa body style that will be produced in a limited series of 10 units.
During a special celebration held at the
National Art Center in Tokyo, the Ferrari J50
marks the return of the targa body style,
evocative of several well-loved Ferrari road
cars of the 1970s and 1980s.
The J50 was created by Ferrari’s Special
Projects department and designed by the
Ferrari Styling Centre team in Maranello,
and each one of the 10 units planned for
production will be tailored specifically to
the customer’s requirements.
The J50 is based on the 488 Spider, and is
powered by a specific 690 cv version of the
3.9-litre V8 engine.
The bodywork is all new and heralds a
radically futuristic design language, with a
highly distinctive personality that suits the
tastes of a clientele that seeks the utmost in
innovative styling.
“The design approach was led by the
desire to create a very low-slung roadster,
encapsulating intrinsic Ferrari values of
nimbleness and agility.
“To achieve this, a strong dynamic was
imprinted on the flank of the car by the
converging interplay between two main
guiding lines: the slanted top edge of the
side window, continuous with the
windscreen, and the raked black swage
line which dramatically rises from the low-
set nose until it vanishes in the air intake aft
of the doors.”
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(December 2016 Edition)
“While the “helmet visor” effect, which
spawns from the window graphic, is
reminiscent of Ferrari’s open competition
barchettas going as far back as the
1950s, the black dividing line is a novel
interpretation of a recurring Ferrari styling
cue seen on iconic models such as the
GTO, F40 and F50.
“Circling around the front of the car below
knee height, it is a key element which alters
the perception of the beltline, setting it at a
much lower height than usual, transforming
the J50 into a barchetta.”
“The hood section is lower at the center
with raised wheel arch crests giving the
emphasized muscularity typical of Ferrari
mid-engined sports cars. Two carbon-fibre
air channels in the front bonnet create an
even more diminutive and sharper looking
front mass underlined by the full LED
headlights that feature a specific and very
dynamic profile.
“The J50 benefits from detailed
aerodynamic development with a
number of significant functional
solutions. Firstly, the radiators have been
positioned closer together, and the front
bumper has been completely
redesigned.
Ferrari reveals J50 one-off
The windscreen
header rail has been
lowered allowing more
airflow over the aero
foil and thus over the
rear spoiler.”
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(December 2016 Edition)
The tail section is dominated by the
interplay of graphic design themes
and three-dimensional elements. The
engine is framed by a transparent
polycarbonate cover which is
intricately shaped to provide a visual
extension of the two separate roll
hoops protecting the heads of driver
and passenger.
A transverse aero foil projects as a bridge
between the hoops, effectively revisiting
one of the most distinctive features of Ferrari
sports prototypes of the 1960s.
The rear is decidedly aggressive in nature, with
the quad taillight design widening the car
visually under a high-downforce wing profile.
The rear diffuser features an extractor shape
inspired by jet engine afterburners, giving the
car a powerful stance. 20” forged rims of
unique design were crafted specifically for this
limited-edition model.
Inside the cabin, specific trim adorns
the sports seats, echoing the design
of the rear engine lid. The carbon-
fibre hard targa top is divided into
two pieces which stow behind the
seats.
The J50 presented at the launch in
Tokyo is finished in a special shade of
three-layer red with a red-over-black
interior trimmed in fine leather and
Alcantara.
Ferrari reveals J50 one-off
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(December 2016 Edition)
Cadillac DPi-V.R IMSA race car
Cadillac has revealed the 2017 race car set to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship, with a design studied to combine performance with the brand’s
presence and identity.
The new Cadillac DPi-V.R
was designed to contribute to the
functional performance of the
prototype using elements
influenced from the current lineup
of V-Performance models,
especially the CTS-V.
“The DPi-V.R race car was
an exciting new canvas for
the Cadillac design and
sculpting
team,” said Andrew Smith, Global Cadillac Design
executive director. “The
studio embraced the
opportunity to interpret the
Cadillac form language, line
work and graphic signature
for this premier prototype
racing application. Every
detail of the final design was
selected to support the car’s
on-track performance and
unmistakable Cadillac
presence.”
The design details giving the DPi-
V.R car its distinctive Cadillac
appearance and presence
include the vertical lighting
signature; the sheer, sculptural
quality of the body and bold
body side feature line; V-
Performance wheels with Brembo
brakes; V-Performance emblems;
and a canopy graphic inspired
by the Cadillac daylight opening.
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(December 2016 Edition)
Even small elements such
as the cooling vents and
the air intake were
designed in the studio, the
latter in the trapezoidal
shape of the Cadillac
crest.
The DPi-V.R will make its debut at the 2017 IMSA season
opener — the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, 2017 — by
teams from Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing.
The Cadillac DPi-V.R is
propelled by a race-
prepared, normally
aspirated Cadillac 6.2
liter V-8 engine
delivering approx. 600
horsepower and
coupled with an X-TRAC
paddle-shift
transmission.
Key partners including chassis builder
Dallara, as well as teams from Wayne
Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing
and ECR Engines for the engine
preparation.
Cadillac DPi-V.R IMSA race car
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(December 2016 Edition)
BMW Motorrad presents the Vision Next 100 concept bike
The concept bike is the fourth vision vehicle marking the centenary of the BMW Group,
and is centered around the idea of a pure ride experience.
The Vision Next 100 concept was
revealed during the event “Iconic
Impulses. The BMW Group Future
Experience” exhibition platform at
the Barkar Hangar, Santa Monica,
Los Angeles in October 2016.
The motorcycle concept follows
the BMW Vision Next 100,
unveiled at the Munich
Centenary Event in March, the
Mini Vision Next 100 and Rolls-
Royce Vision Next 100.
The vehicle is centered on “The
Great Escape” theme, based on
the idea of a pure, unbounded ride
experience. According to BMW, in
the future the sensation of freedom
will be enhanced by even greater
connectivity between rider, bike
and the outside world. In the company’s vision, a series of active
safety systems will render protective clothing
such as helmets and padded suits no longer
needed. Instead, riders will be able to fully
enjoy the sensation of absolute freedom.
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(December 2016 Edition)
A key system in this vision is the Self-
Balancing mechanism, which keeps the
motorcycle balanced both while in motion
and while stationary, and prevents it from
tipping over.
This technology allows all riders of any level
of skill or expertise to keep on pushing
boundaries for an ever more positive ride
experience.
Information is exchanged between rider
and bike largely via the smart visor. This
spans the rider’s entire field of view and
provides not only wind protection but
also relevant information, which it
projects straight into the line of sight as
and when it is needed.
In terms of design and function, the BMW
Vision Next 100 Concept takes its cues from
various elements in the history of BMW
Motorrad, adding a contemporary twist
each time.
The black frame triangle, for example,
harks back to the first ever motorcycle
by BMW Motorrad, the R32, made in
1923.
Seen from the side the
Vision Vehicle
resembles a naked bike,
with the ergonomics
and seating position of
a roadster. The forms
and execution of the
power unit resemble the
traditional BMW boxer
engine, but it is actually
a zero-emission
drivetrain.
BMW Motorrad presents the Vision Next 100 concept bike
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(December 2016 Edition)
Honda in talks over self-driving cars with Alphabet's Waymo
Honda says proposed deal with Google’s parent company did not mean abandoning its
own efforts to develop driving system
Honda and Google’s parent company, Alphabet,
are in formal talks to develop self-driving vehicles,
the Japanese carmaker said on Thursday, months
after the US firm signed a deal to use its
technology in Fiat Chrysler minivans.
The prospect of a deal between
Honda and Alphabet’s self-driving
unit Waymo, which was spun off
from Google earlier this month, is
part of attempts by some car
manufacturers to address the high
cost of developing reliable
automation software by teaming up
with technology firms rather than
going it alone.
Honda, however, said any collaboration with
Waymo did not mean it was abandoning efforts to
develop its own autonomous driving system.
While its driverless project has not
garnered as much attention as
similar plans by bigger firms such
as Toyota, Honda unveiled a
prototype driverless car in June
and has said it hopes to see the
fully autonomous vehicle appear
on motorways in four years’ time.
“In addition to these on-going (in-house) efforts, this
technical collaboration with Waymo could allow
Honda research and development to explore a
different technological approach to bring fully self-
driving technology to market,” Honda said in a
statement.
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(December 2016 Edition)
If a deal is reached, Honda engineers
in Japan and Silicon Valley would
work with their Waymo counterparts
to marry their vehicles with Waymo’s
software, in the same way as Fiat
Chrysler has done with its Pacifica
minivans.
The vehicles would then join road tests of
Waymo cars already being conducted in
four US cities, according to Kyodo news.
Waymo said it was “looking forward to
exploring opportunities to collaborate with
Honda to advance fully self-driving
technology and make our roads safer”.The potential deal with Honda, Japan’s
third-biggest carmaker, would help
shore up Google’s position at the
forefront of self-driving technology. The
tech firm has been developing
software and sensors since 2009 and
testing its autonomous cars on public
roads for several years.
Robot Taxi, a Japanese collaboration
between a developer of automated vehicle
technology and a mobile internet firm,
began testing driverless taxis in the town of
Fujisawa earlier this year.
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has
said he wants to see fleets of self-driving
cars on Tokyo’s roads by the time the city
hosts the 2020 Olympics.
Honda in talks over self-driving cars with Alphabet's Waymo
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